TreadLightly is a national recycling initiative, powered by the Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA) and trusted recycler Save Our Soles (SOS) is an industry-led initiative providing a local solution to a global waste problem. TreadLightly gives Australians an opportunity to ‘do their bit for the planet’ by giving new life to old shoes.
TreadLightly works closely with over 32 of Australia’s key sporting and active lifestyle brands – with over 900 collection points in retail stores across Australia.
Shaun Bajada, Executive Director, ASGA shared his appreciation for the consumers, retailers and recycling partners that have helped TreadLightly achieve the significant milestone.
“In 2021 we set the ambitions goal to recycle one million shoes and we are thrilled to have succeeded in such a short period of time. We’re incredibly grateful to every single Australian who made the effort to donate their old and worn-out shoes keep shoes of landfill. Those shoes have now been processed and are on their way to being made into useful products like gym mats as well as playground and retail flooring,” said Bajada.
National Recycling Week, established by Planet Ark in 1996, is held every year during the second week of November (13-19 November 2023) and TreadLightly’s efforts tie in well with this year’s theme ‘what goes around, comes around’ as the organisation is passionate about driving a truly circular economy.
“TreadLightly is committed to helping Aussies lower their impact on the planet by reducing waste in our communities. Footwear components take up to 1000 years to decompose and with only around one percent of all old footwear currently collected and recycled, we still have a long way to go. Together we can change this and step into a better future,” concluded Bajada.
To find your closest collection location visit https://treadlightly.asga.com.au/collection-locations/ For a full list of participating sporting and active lifestyle brands visit www.treadlightly.asga.com.au